Device for storage of articles

ABSTRACT

Device for the storage of articles, comprising a frame and at least one receptacle that can be detachably fitted on the said frame, such that the frame ( 110 ) has at the top a carrying handle ( 120 ) and on either side of the handle suspension devices are provided, on each of which a receptacle ( 130, 131 ) can be hung, such that the receptacles can be removed from the suspension device by being lifted out.

[0001] The present invention concerns a device for the storage ofarticles, comprising a frame and at least one receptacle that can bedetachably fitted on the said frame.

[0002] From the state of the prior art a device of the type mentionedabove has for example become known, which comprises various receptaclesthat can be detachably fitted to a frame so that a variety of articlescan be sorted and placed in the individual receptacles where they arestored separately. The device is also so designed that if needs be twoor more receptacles can be used, since its structure is modular. Forexample, a device of this type is used as a laundry sorter. The knowndevice according to DE 196 24985.6 A1 is equipped with wheels and cantherefore be rolled along as a whole. The individual receptacles of thedevice are accessible via flaps that can be swung down.

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device forthe storage of articles, of the type described above, which is made tobe portable as a whole and whose structure is particularly simple.

[0004] In contrast to the previously known device described above, thedevice according to the invention is not moved from one place to anotherby being rolled along, but by being carried. For this purpose, acarrying handle is fitted at the top end area of the frame.

[0005] Besides, the device according to the invention is very simplyconstructed and so designed that if it is desired to transport only asingle receptacle separately, this can be detached from the device verysimply by lifting it upwards. In addition, the receptacles of the deviceaccording to the invention are preferably so designed that they can alsobe opened very easily when the receptacles are on the frame. Forexample, each receptacle of the device can be provided with rodspositioned in each case at the top end area of the receptacle. Thereceptacle can be suspended on the frame by hanging the two rods on thehanging device of the frame. The receptacles can be opened very simply,for example by lifting only one rod, the outermost, off the hangingdevice while the other rod remains in the hanging device and thereceptacle is then open at the top, so that articles can be thrown orplaced in it.

[0006] In the device according to the invention, the receptacles arepreferably pouches or bags, but may also be boxes, cartons or suchlike.This means that in essence receptacles can be considered which have aflexible outer covering as is the case with pouches or bags, orotherwise receptacles with a rigid outer shell, such as cartons. Thereceptacles can consist of textile materials or plastic or cardboard orleather or other suitable materials.

[0007] As suspension devices for the receptacles, wire yokes arepreferably used. These are preferably fitted opposite one anotherrespectively on the two sides of the handle, so that two receptacles canbe suspended on the device.

[0008] A preferred further development of the invention provides thateach receptacle has two rods in its upper end area, so that when in eachcase only the outer rod is removed from the hanging yoke in the mannerdescribed, the receptacle can be opened, and when the receptacle as awhole is to be removed by lifting it upwards, both rods are lifted offthe hanging yoke.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the suspension device, whichis for example a wire yoke, can comprise ends that plug into the handleand can be attached to the handle by means of these. For this, the saidplug-in ends are curved in such a way as to ensure a simple,form-enclosing connection between the suspension device and the handle.On the side facing away from the handle, the suspension device has endsinto which the rods carrying the receptacle are preferably laid.

[0010] The frame of a device according to the invention is preferablyalso constructed very simply and consists, for example, of rods or tubeswhich are bent to one side to form foot portions that rest on theground. These foot portions can merge into sections of the frame thatextend upwards and to the top end area of which the handle is attached.Furthermore, the foot portions preferably first extend outwards andthen, in further sections, in the longitudinal direction of the frame.As already said, the receptacles can for example be made as bags orsacks and preferably have a relatively elongated shape. For this, thereceptacles maybe shaped such that when they are closed, their widthincreases from the top downwards as viewed from the end side of theframe. When the receptacle is opened by taking the outer rod off thehanging device of the frame, the outer rod essentially swings out andaway from the frame, and preferably also somewhat downwards, to createan opening large enough to permit articles to be thrown or placed in theholding space of the receptacle. Accordingly, the receptacle can beopened and closed very simply, by just one movement of the hand.Likewise, for example when the receptacle is filled with articles, itcan be grasped and simply lifted upwards by only one movement of thehand, to be carried away.

[0011] A device according to the invention with two such receptacles ispreferred. In principle, however, the frame can also be so constructedthat only one receptacle or, on the contrary, more than two receptaclesare suspended on it, without going beyond the scope of the principleaccording to the invention. Preferably, the receptacles hanging on thesuspension device terminate a certain distance above the bottom end ofthe frame and the ground, so that they are not in contact with theground and cannot be soiled by such contact.

[0012] According to a preferred variant, the frame can be made verysimply by inclining the tubular or rod sections extending upwards at anangle slightly deviating from the vertical, so that the two sectionsextending upwards converge towards the top. At the upper end the handlecan be pushed onto the two sections and joined thereto by friction forcelocking. At the lower end, the two upward-reaching sections can be bentround so that they merge seamlessly into the sections bent essentiallyhorizontally to form the foot portions.

[0013] The subordinate claims relate to preferred further developmentsof the solution provided by the invention for the objective set. Otheradvantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed descriptiongiven below.

[0014] Claims 15 to 18 concern a variant of the device according to theinvention, in which instead of a framed there is a holding componentthat can be fixed to a wall. In this case too a suspension device can befixed to the holding component, in the form of a wire yoke or suchlike,which can be constructed in exactly the same way as for the variant ofthe invention described earlier. In this variant a receptacle can againbe suspended or if necessary removed completely from the holdingcomponent, the type of container being of exactly the same structure asthose in the variant of the invention described above, with the frame.In this variant of the invention that can be fixed to a wall, as a ruleonly one receptacle is present and consequently there is only onesuspension device for this receptacle. As with the variant describedearlier, the receptacle can have at the top two horizontal rods, so thatwhen only one rod is taken off the suspension device (wire yoke) thereceptacle is opened, while when both rods are taken off the receptaclecan be taken away. Instead of the handle used for carrying the frame inthe variant described earlier, in this variant of the invention theholding component attached to the wall is present and remains on thewall permanently. The receptacle, however, can be removed from the saidholding component and taken away. A particular advantage is also thatthe device according to this variant constitutes a supplement of thevariant of the device described earlier with the frame, and thereceptacles for both variants can be designed in the same way and cantherefore be used interchangeably with both variants of the device.

[0015] Below, the present invention will be described in greater detailwith reference to example embodiments illustrated in the attacheddrawings, which show:

[0016]FIG. 1: Perspective overall view of a device according to theinvention for the storage of articles

[0017]FIG. 2: Side view of the device shown in FIG. 1, seen from the endat the side

[0018]FIG. 3: Further view of the device according to the invention,seen from a direction at 90° to the viewing direction of FIG. 2

[0019]FIG. 4: View of the device according to the invention, seen fromthe top

[0020]FIG. 5: Enlarged detail in the upper area of the handle of thedevice

[0021]FIG. 6: Perspective view of the handle and, separately, the yokeattached thereto

[0022]FIG. 7: View to clarify the connection between the upper end areaof the frame and the handle

[0023]FIG. 8: Perspective view of a frame according to an alternativevariant of the invention

[0024]FIG. 9: Perspective view of an alternative device according to theinvention for the storage of articles, which can be fixed to the wall

[0025]FIG. 10: Enlarged perspective detail view of the alternativedevice shown in FIG. 9

[0026] Reference will first be made to FIG. 1. The perspectiverepresentation shows an overall view of the device according to theinvention for the storage of articles of the most varied kinds. Thedevice as a whole is indexed 100 and is suitable, for example, forholding laundry or other household articles, but is not limited to suchapplications. The device comprises a frame 110 which consistsessentially of a tube with several bends, whose shape can also be seenin FIG. 2. The tubular frame 110 is bent so as to have two foot portions111, 112, which extend essentially horizontally and support the frame onthe ground. Connected to the foot portions 111, 112 are, respectively,vertical tube sections 113, 114 that extend almost perpendicularly, i.e.inclined inwards at a slight angle away from the vertical and extendingupwards such that they converge and are closest together just under thehandle, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The upper end area of these tubesections 113, 114 are connected to the handle 120 by adhesive bonding orby a locking connection. This friction force joint between the handle120 and the upper ends of the tube sections 113, 114 of the frame issuch that it cannot come apart when the handle and the device 100 as awhole are lifted.

[0027] In place of the embodiment described above, the frame 110 canalso be constructed somewhat differently, in particular the verticaltube can be made in two or more parts to achieve a smaller packagingsize. The frame 110 then consists of several tube sections joinedtogether, preferably by means of tube connectors made from plastic intoeach end of which the individual tube sections can be inserted incorresponding recesses. For example, tube connectors can also be usedwhich, besides the function of joining two tube sections together, alsofulfil the function of a support foot like the support area 117 shown inFIG. 1, so that at these points secure contact with the ground isensured, for example with a contact area such that the tube section 111of the foot portion does not rest directly on the ground there.

[0028] The holders for the articles to be stored are two respective bagsor pouches 130, 131 which, as can be seen in FIG. 1, can be detachablyheld on either side of the handle 120 on the frame 110 (see also FIG.2).

[0029] To attach the two bags or pouches 130, 131, which can be made ofdifferent materials such as textile, leather, plastic, paper, cardboardor suchlike, at the upper end areas of each bag are provided in eachcase two parallel rods 141, 142; 143, 144 which can each be hung inparts of a yoke 150, 151. For their part, the two yokes 150, 151 can beattached to the handle 120 by inserting their ends. This can beunderstood more clearly from the enlarged detailed view shown in FIG. 5.The insertion of the ends of the yokes 150, 151 into the handle 120 willbe explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0030]FIG. 6 shows one of the yokes 150, represented in perspective viewdetached from the handle 120. As can be seen, where insertion into thehandle 120 takes place the yoke 150 has several bends. The yoke 150 isfor example bent from wire such that on the handle side there are twosections 152, 153 which extend approximately horizontally towards oneanother and end a distance apart, leaving a free space 154 between thetwo ends of the yoke to be inserted. Starting from these horizontalsections 152, 153 the yoke is in each case first bent upwards by about90° so that in the mounted position it has sections 155, 156 that extendapproximately vertically. At the end of those sections the two ends ofthe yoke area again bent horizontal through 90° and then extend inhorizontal sections 157, 158 backwards towards the handle. After this,the two ends of the yoke 150 are again bent about 90° upwards to formvertical end sections 159, 162 of the yoke, which are inserted into thehandle 120.

[0031] As can also be seen from FIG. 6, the handle 120 is provided intwo places with slots or holes 122, 123 and on both sides of these twoholes there are in each case pairs of parallel guide webs 124, 125 thatextend from the bottom upwards. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the ends ofthe wire yoke 150 shown in FIG. 6 are inserted into the slots or holes122, 123 of the handle 120 such that the vertical sections 159, 162 arewithin the handle and the vertical sections 155, 156 of the wire yoke150 that come after the double bend extend downwards between the pairsof parallel guide webs 124, 125. This structure of the joint between thewire yoke 150 and the handle 120 ensures that when the handle 120 andalong with it the device as a whole are lifted, the wire yokes 150, 151,each shaped the same as the other, cannot come loose from theirconnection to the handle 120.

[0032] The hanging ends 160 of the wire yokes 150, 151 bent to formcurves on the side facing away from the handle 120 are shaped such thatcontact points are formed for the rods 140, 142 in four areas of thewire yoke 150, these areas being indexed 163, 164, 165 and 166 in FIG.6. These four sections of the wire yoke all extend parallel to oneanother, such that the two areas 163, 164 and the two areas 165, 166 arerespectively closer to one another and between the areas 164, 165 thereis a larger distance, where the wire yoke 150, viewed from above, isbent approximately into a U shape 167 extending inwards in the directiontowards the handle.

[0033] However, the wire yoke 150 can be shaped more simply than in theexample embodiment shown in FIG. 6, while fulfilling the same purpose inprinciple. For example it is sufficient to have just one hanging areainstead of the hanging ends 160, 161, with the wire yoke 150 straight onthis side such that, for example, the aforesaid approximately U-shapedform of the wire yoke with the U-section 167 bent inwards when seen fromabove is no longer present. The wire yoke 150 would then extend straightand instead of the aforesaid four contact areas 163, 164, 165, 166 ofthe wire yoke for the rods 140, 142, there would only be two such areas,which could for example be on the outside, such as the contact areas163, 166 in the drawing of FIG. 6.

[0034] The connection of the handle 120 to the upper ends of the tubularsection 113, 114 will be described below with reference to FIG. 7. Thispictures the upper end of a tubular section 113 and the handle 120attached to the said tubular section 113, which are shown here incross-section. It can be seen that the tubular section 113 has on oneside a tongue or lip 170 formed from the material and directed outwardsat a slightly oblique angle. The handle 120 is provided on both sideswith circular-cylindrical recesses 171, 172 into which, respectively,the upper ends of the tubular sections 113, 114 can be inserted. Withinthe recesses 171, 172 there is in each case a tongue 173, 174 extendingobliquely from below upwards and radially inwards, whose upper end isfree and which, when the tubular sections 113 and 114 are inserted,engages with the tongue 170 of the tubular section projecting outwardsfrom the latter behind the inward-projecting tongues 173, 174 in therecess 171, 172, so that a connection is produced which, in the mannerof a barb, prevents the tube section 113, 114 from being pulled back outof the handle 120. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the tubular section alsohas in each case, for example approximately circumferentially oppositethe tongue 170, a slit 175 that cooperates with corresponding elementsprojecting radially into the recess 171, 172 (not shown) to ensure thateach tubular section is prevented from rotating within the recess of thehandle.

[0035] FIGS. 1 to 5 show in each case a position in which the two bags130, 131 are each suspended by means of their rods 141, 142 and 143, 144respectively, in the yokes 150, 151 and in which both bags 130, 131 areclosed. Either of the bags can now be opened very simply by lifting therespective outermost rod 142 or 143 out of the curved hanging end 160(see FIG. 5) or 161. This opens the bag, but the bag remains on theframe because the respective inner rod, for example 141 in the case ofthe right-hand bag in FIG. 5, remains on the yoke 150.

[0036] If it is desired to remove one of the two bags 130, 131 entirelyfrom the frame 110, this can also be done quite simply by picking up thebag under both rods 141, 142 and lifting it off the yoke 150. As can beseen from FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, the two rods 141, 142 of each of the twobags are in each case joined to the material of the bag 130, 131, forexample by pushing the rods 141, 142 through correspondingly sized,seamed passages at the top end of the bag material.

[0037] Thus, when necessary both bags 130, 131 can be separately openedto put in or take out the stored articles, and both bags 130, 131 caneach be separately taken off the frame 110 of the device 100. At thesame time, by gripping the handle 120, the entire device 100 with thetwo bags 130, 131 or if needs be with only one bag or no bags at all,can be transported elsewhere. Thanks to its foot portions 111, 112, theframe of the device with its bags will stand securely.

[0038]FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative variant of theinvention, in which the frame 110 of the device has a somewhat differentstructure. As can be seen, here too the frame 110 has respectivevertical sections 113, 114 extending upward, which are, however, notexactly vertical but inclined towards one another convergently towardsthe handle 120 and are joined to the handle for example by insertion ofthe tube ends. At the top this variant device of FIG. 8 is essentiallyno different from the variant described earlier. However, the footportions 111, 112 of the frame are constructed rather differently. Inthis case they each extend transversely relative to the main widthdirection of the two receptacles 130, 131, which are not shown in FIG. 8so that the frame 110 can be seen better. Viewed from the side, thisstructure of the feet 111, 112 gives in each case an approximatelyT-shaped arrangement of a foot portion 111, 112 respectively with avertical tube section 113, 114. Such a frame according to FIG. 8 alsostands securely. Only the process of making the frame is somewhatdifferent, and compared with the variant of FIG. 1 this may haveadvantages in terms of manufacturing technique.

[0039]FIGS. 9 and 10 show another variant of a device according to theinvention for the storage of articles, which the manufacturer can offeron the one hand as an alternative and on the other hand also as asupplement to a device as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Inthe device according to FIG. 9 there is no frame that rests on theground but rather, a holding component 10 formed in principle as aplate-like wall attachment that can be fixed to a wall, for example byscrewing or suchlike. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 9 and 1, thesame receptacles, i.e. bag-like or pouch-shaped ones, can be used inboth cases. In FIG. 9 the receptacle is indexed 30. Likewise, thesuspension device 50 for the receptacle 30 can in principle be a wireyoke of structure similar to that of the wire yoke 150 described earlierthat served as the suspension device for the receptacles 130, 131 in thevariant according to FIGS. 5 and 6. However, in the variant according toFIG. 9 only one such suspension device 50 for only one receptacle 30 ispresent. The wire yoke serving as the suspension device can inprinciple, however, be bent in exactly the same way as in the earliervariants, so that the suspension device, which can be seen better in thedetailed representation of FIG. 10, is curved up in the area facing awayfrom the holding component 10 to form hanging ends or a hanging area 60.This suspension device 50 can be plugged into the holding component 10and for that purpose has insertion ends 59, 62 like those of thevariants described earlier. This has the advantage that the suspensiondevice 50 used in the variant having the frame according to FIGS. 1 and5, can also be used for the variant of the device that can be wallmounted according to FIG. 9.

[0040] The receptacle 30 can also be made like the example embodimentsof the two receptacles 130, 131 described earlier, so that as can beseen in FIG. 9 the receptacle 30 too has two rods 41, 42 at the top,from which the receptacle can be suspended by placing them on thesuspension device 150. Likewise, the receptacle 30 is opened in the sameway by taking only the front (outer) rod 42 off the suspension device50.

1. Device for the storage of articles, comprising a frame and at leastone receptacle that can be detachably fitted on this frame,characterised in that at the top, the frame (110) has a carrying handle(120) and on either side of the said handle suspension devices (150,151) are provided, from each of which a receptacle (130, 131) can behung, such that the receptacles can be removed by lifting them upwardsout of the suspension device.
 2. Device for the storage of articlesaccording to claim 1, characterised in that the receptacles are in theform of pouches (130, 131), bags, boxes or cartons.
 3. Device for thestorage of articles according to claim 2, characterised in that thesuspension devices (150, 151) are in each case yokes made from wire orsuchlike, which can each be attached opposite one another on either sideof the handle (120).
 4. Device for the storage of articles according toclaim 1, characterised in that the receptacles (130, 131) each have attheir upper end rods (141, 142; 143, 144) which respectively allow thecontainer (130, 131) to be hung by being positioned on the suspensiondevices (150, 151).
 5. Device for the storage of articles according toclaim 4, characterised in that each receptacle has two rods (141, 142 or143, 144), and when the respective outermost rod (142, 143) only isremoved from the hanging yoke (150, 151), the receptacle (130, 131) canbe opened.
 6. Device for the storage of articles according to claim 1,characterised in that the suspension device (150, 151) has insertionends on the side facing the handle, by means of which it can be attachedto the handle.
 7. Device for the storage of articles according to claim1, characterised in that the suspension device (150, 151) has hangingends (160, 161) bent upwards on the side facing away from the handle. 8.Device for the storage of articles according to claim 1, characterisedin that the frame (110) is at least partially tubular or rod-shaped andthe handle (120) can be plugged onto the respective upper ends of tubeor rod sections (113, 114) of the frame that extend upwards, and can beattached thereto by friction force locking.
 9. Device for the storage ofarticles according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame (110) hastubular or rod-like bent foot portions (111, 112), which when viewedfrom the end side, extend from the upward-reaching sections (113, 114)first outwards and then, in further sections, longitudinally, such thatthe respective sections of the tubular or rod-shaped frame merge intoone another.
 10. Device for the storage of articles according to claim8, characterised in that the frame has upward-reaching sections (113,114) and at the lower ends thereof in each case foot portions (111, 112)connected thereto, such that each of the upward-reaching sections (113,114) forms with one foot portion (111, 112) an approximately T-shapedarrangement, and the feet (111, 112) extend transversely relative to thereceptacles (130, 131).
 11. Device for the storage of articles accordingto claim 10, characterised in that sections (111, 112) of the footportions extend essentially horizontally and rest on the ground in someareas (116, 117).
 12. Device for the storage of articles according toclaim 1, characterised in that the receptacles (130, 131) are formed asbags or sacks and have a relatively elongated shape, such that whenclosed, the width of the receptacles increases from top to bottom whenviewed from the end side of the frame.
 13. Device for the storage ofarticles according to claim 4, characterised in that the receptacles(130, 131) can be hung on the suspension devices (150, 151) by means ofthe rods (141, 142; 143, 144) and the suspended receptacles end acertain distance above the lower end of the frame (110) and the ground.14. Device for the storage of articles according to claims 10,characterised in that seen from the bottom upwards, the upward-reaching,preferably tubular or rod-like sections (113, 114) of the frame aredirected convergently.
 15. Device for the storage of articles,comprising a holding component that can be fixed to a wall, to which isattached at least one suspension device onto which at least onereceptacle can be hung, characterised in that the suspension device is ahanging yoke (50) and the receptacle (30) has two rods (41, 42) thatenable the receptacle (30) to be hung, by each being laid on thesuspension device (50).
 16. Device for the storage of articles accordingto claim 15, characterised in that the holding component (10) is aplate-like, wall-mounted component and the suspension device (50.) hasinsertion ends on the side facing the holding component (10), by meansof which it can be attached to the holding component.
 17. Device for thestorage of articles according to claim 15, characterised in that thereceptacle (30) is made according to any of claims 2, 5 or
 12. 18.Device for the storage of articles according to claim 15, characterisedin that the suspension device has hanging ends (60) bent upwards on theside facing away from the holding component (10).